News Update
May 9, 2014
Association Promotes Three
The American Angus Association announces the promotion of three of its internal staff. Chris Stallo is now vice president of operations and will lead the Association’s membership operations. Jaclyn Upperman is named director of events and education. Ashley Mitchell is the breed organization’s new assistant director of events and education.
Stallo will assist the organization’s 90-plus employees with daily operations at the Association’s headquarters in Saint Joseph, Mo., and work to provide opportunities and service to the Association’s more than 25,000 members across the United States and Canada.
“Every day in our business, it’s a member-first mentality,” Stallo says. “I look forward to working with our employees to carry on our long-held tradition of superior member service, and helping the Association become more efficient and valuable to those who rely on Angus cattle.”
A 14-year veteran of the Association’s Information Systems (IS) Department, Stallo has served the breed well through creative programming solutions through AAA Login, the Association website and the Angus Mobile smartphone app. As a member of the IS Department, he was part of the team that developed the technical infrastructure necessary for the weekly release of the National Cattle Evaluation (NCE), among many other critical projects.
“Because of his extensive experience with the Association’s systems and programs, Chris is a tremendous asset to our team and our membership,” says Bryce Schumann, Association CEO. “He is a positive leader for our Association and always has a friendly smile and a keen eye for efficiency.”
Upperman will lead the Association’s member outreach efforts, managing its event schedule and further developing educational programs for members through a newly formed Education and Events Department. The department will target activities for both youth and adults alike, which is a change in the organization’s previous departmental structure. Combining the junior and adult activities planning will allow staff to streamline processes and provide faster responses and overall, better serve members across the country.
“For a kid who grew up in the Angus community, my role with the Association is the definition of the perfect career,” Upperman says. “I am beyond thrilled to serve our members by bringing them top-notch events, valuable educational programs and so much more.”
A Pennsylvania native, Upperman was an active member of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) and was a director on the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB) from 2009 to 2011. She joined the Association in July 2013 as the director of junior activities.
“During her past year of service to the junior program, Jaclyn has shown great dedication and commitment to our breed and its entire membership,” says Schumann. “She is well-equipped to bring fresh ideas and energy to both the youth and adult programs.”
Mitchell is now assistant director of events and education, serving members by organizing and implementing nationwide programs and activities.
“I’m grateful for the chance to be part of the Angus breed and its tremendous impact on the beef industry,” Mitchell says. “I’ve really enjoyed working with members during my time here, and look forward to expanding that role and helping others gain insights through our events.”
A 2007 graduate of the University of Missouri, Mitchell holds a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management and a minor in international agriculture. She began her career with the Association’s activities and events department in October 2013. The new role is a promotion for Mitchell, who has been involved in many aspects of Association-related programs during her time with the organization.
“Ashley has taken great initiative in organizing and planning event details for the Association’s membership,” says Schumann. “We look forward to seeing her grow in her abilities and helping to advance the breed in the future.”
LEAD Conference Travels to Philly
Angus youth from across the country will travel to Philadelphia, Pa., for the National Junior Angus Association’s (NJAA) annual Leaders Engaged in Angus Development (LEAD) conference, July 31-Aug. 3. The 2014 event is themed “Forefathers & Farmers: Cultivating Angus Youth” and is designed for NJAA members 14-21 years of age.
“We are looking forward to hosting this year’s LEAD conference in an area rich with history and tradition,” says Jaclyn Upperman, American Angus Association director of events and education. “It will be a memorable weekend for everyone involved.”
Angus juniors will attend leadership workshops presented by the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB), as well as listen to professional speakers Jim “Basketball” Jones and Laymon Hicks.
Tours during this year’s LEAD conference will give attendees a look at agriculture on the nation’s east coast as they visit Herr’s Angus Farm and chip factory, tour a mushroom farm and Cherry Knoll Farm.
In addition, junior members will participate in numerous breakout sessions regarding agricultural careers, visit historical sites around Philadelphia, and take part in a community service project.
“Our goal is that Angus youth have the opportunity to visit a new part of the country, make new friends and understand the impact Angus cattle have on agriculture in all areas of the country,” Upperman says.
Conference space is limited, and early registration is encouraged by the June 15 deadline. The early registration fee for NJAA members is $250. After June 15, registration will be $275 and accepted based on space availability. Registration for adults, state advisors and chaperones is $300; no early registration deadline applies. Registration is available online at www.angus.org/njaa.
First- or second-time LEAD attendees may apply for the Gary M. Stoller Jump-start Your LEADership Award, which helps provide financial assistance with LEAD travel expenses. Applicants must submit a one-page typed essay expressing why the LEAD conference is important, what they hope to gain by participating and the extent of their financial needs. For more information, contact the Junior Activities Department at 816-383-5100.
LEAD is funded by the Angus Foundation. A tentative schedule for the 2014 event is available here.
Missouri Women’s Contributions to Agriculture
Honored with State Fair Contest
Applications are being accepted for the second annual Missouri Woman in Agriculture Contest, hosted by the Missouri State Fair to applaud the significant contributions women make to the state’s leading industry. According to fair director Mark Wolfe, the title will be awarded in two age divisions, with each winner receiving a $1,000 donation from Monsanto for a nonprofit, agriculture-related cause of her choice.
The contest rules and application forms are available online at www.mostatefair.com/ag-contest, with entries being accepted through July 7. To receive a copy of the application in the mail, contact the fair by calling 1-800-422-3247.
Women ages 31 and older will be eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Award, and women ages 18-30 will be eligible for the Missouri Woman in Agriculture Rising Star Award. Each of the winners will receive a plaque and $1,000 donation to the nonprofit of her choice. New this year will be a plaque of recognition for the runner-up in each age division, and a certificate of acknowledgement for all entrants. Honorees will be selected based on several factors, including leadership roles in Missouri agriculture, endeavors to perpetuate the industry and examples of fair participation.
The Missouri State Fair, themed, Harvest the Fun!, will take place Aug. 7-17 in Sedalia. Visit www.mostatefair.com for more information and follow the fair on Facebook and Twitter.
Prescribed Burn Training Set for Aug. 13-15 at Sonora
The Academy for Ranch Management is offering a basic prescribed burning workshop Aug. 13-15 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station located on State Highway 55 between Sonora and Rocksprings.
The basic course is open to those who would like to learn about the benefits of prescribed burning and the basics of planning and carrying out a prescribed burn, said Ray Hinnant, a Texas A&M AgriLife Research senior research associate in College Station.
The workshop also constitutes the first half of Texas’ Prescribed Burn Board-approved course required for Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager licenses by the Texas Department of Agriculture, Hinnant said.
A license holder has the ultimate authority and responsibility when conducting a prescribed burn, according to department rules, Hinnant said. The burn manager must meet the minimum standards of training and experience and maintain required insurance. There are three types of certified and insured burn managers: private, commercial and not-for-profit.
Individual registration is $395 for the workshop, plus a $45 facilities-use fee due upon arrival. Persons interested in attending should go to www.agrilife.org/arm/ for a registration form. For more information, call Hinnant at 979-820-1778 or Jeanne Andreski at 979-862-2128.
For more information, please view the Angus Journal Virtual Library calendar of upcoming events here.
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